Fall is here and although the temperatures don’t reflect that here is beautiful Tallahassee we all know you are still celebrating with fall decorated front porches (even though nobody would actually sit on the front porch in this heat!) and pumpkin spice lattes because why not?!
Fall gives us a reason to redecorate the house and celebrate the hopefully cooler temperatures to come! Here in Tallahassee we may have a few trees change colors but we don’t get the full effect so we love Southern Livings travel article, 13 Destinations to See Fall Leaves in the South!
- Blue Ridge Parkway
The winding Blue Ridge Parkway stretches 469 miles in the Appalachian Highlands. Drive the last 40 mile section as it winds through Western North Carolina’s Jackson County. Be sure to stop at the parkway’s highest point, the Richland Balsam Overlook at 6,053 feet. - Bryson City, North Carolina
Bordering the southern side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Bryson Cityis a laid-back, non-touristy town of 1,500 with more stop signs than stoplights. With more than 800 miles of hiking trails. Hike or bike the “Road to Nowhere” named after Lakeview Drive, an unfinished road that takes visitors eight miles into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and ends at the mouth of a tunnel. - Cloudland Canyon State Park, Rising Fawn, Georgia
At Cloudland Canyon State Park, hike the Sitton Gulch Trail into the canyon. With a difference in elevation of 800 to 1,980 feet, the Sitton Gulch Creek carves through the center of the canyon. Along the hike you’ll pass beautiful waterfalls on Daniel Creek, and down 1,200 stair steps, offering a unique perspective of the gorge’s color from below. - Dahlonega, Georgia
In late September, trees don their rich autumn jewel tones, and visitors rush toDahlonega in the North Georgia Mountains with the enthusiasm of the gold miners who hit pay dirt here in 1828. Today, Dahlonega stakes its claim on a rich lode of architecture and history, hiking trails, fall festivals, vineyard tours, and family fun. Located just 65 miles north of Atlanta, it’s a quick getaway with enough to do and see for a long weekend. - F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Pine Mountain, Georgia
South of Atlanta, you’ll be surprised to find rolling mountains like Dowdell’s Knob, which highlights a yellow burst of color in late October to early November. Bike along the polished paths of F.D. Roosevelt State Park, the largest state park in Georgia. Visitors will find more than 40 miles of trails for hiking. - Greenville, South Carolina
Greenville is know as “Bikeville” for its concentration of trails for both recreational and avid cyclists. Spin down the Swamp Rabbit Trail, which follows along the Reedy River for 18 miles. Plan to stop by one of the breweries or distilleries along the trail, like The Swamp Rabbit Brewery and Copperhead Mountain Distillery in Travelers Rest. Peak foliage is from the last two weeks of October through the first two weeks of November. - Historic Banning Mills, Whitesburg, Georgia
Zip through the trees and view foliage from above at Historic Banning Mills, home to the World’s Longest Zip-Wire Course. You will find yourself in a rare position looking down upon the leaves that are donning a new fall wardrobe while zip lining over the trees and through the woods. - Jackson County, North Carolina
A spectacular, not-to-be missed natural phenomenon in Jackson County, North Carolinais the “Shadow of the Bear.” During the last two weeks of October, when the sun sets behind Whiteside Mountain, its shadow creates a perfect image of a Black Bear that dances across the tops of the colorful trees. - Nantahala National Forest, North Carolina
Macon County, North Carolina is famous for cascading waterfalls that are even more stunning surrounded by the reds, yellows, oranges and purples of autumn. The 65-foot Dry Falls offers a unique perspective from below; walk down the set of stone steps and look up to see the roaring waters above. The waterfall feeds into the Cullasaja River through the Nantahala National Forest. - Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
In the heart of Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, make a stop at Showalter’s Orchard, where visitors can stroll on more than 40 acres of land that overlook the Valley. The u-pick orchard grows more than 20 varieties of apples, some of which are turned into a sweet, fresh apple cider. Taste something stronger and buy a bottle of Old Hill Hard Cider. - Tallulah Gorge State Park, Tallulah Falls, Georgia
Tallulah Gorge State Park in North Georgia straddles Tallulah Gorge, a two mile long, 1,000 foot canyon. When fall color peaks, the views are stunning, and the most unique way to see the foliage is during the bi-annual whitewater release. On the first three weekends of November, whitewater kayakers paddle through the gorge, where an average of 500 to 700 cubic feet per second create Class IV and V rapids. - Travelers Rest, South Carolina
Cyclists love Travelers Rest, where routes vary from 15-25 miles (about 1-2 hour ride) to 50 miles to 80. The 50 miles goes through the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains with 1500 feet of climbing and the 80 mile ride is one of George’s favorite training rides for the Tour de France with epic climbs. Riders can experience the surrounding country mountain roads, riding along the foothills and into the Blue Ridge Mountains and even ride past some quaint towns along the way. - Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem is known as the “City of Arts”, home to the first arts council in America. One of its neighborhoods, Old Salem, acts as a living history museum, where visitors will find blacksmiths, cobblers, potters, and carpenters that still practice their trade. Old Salem currently features more than 20 restored buildings with more than half featuring costumed interpreters living life the way the Moravians did in the 1700’s. Winston-Salem keeps the bright leaf colors longer than most of the other areas in North Carolina, so leaf peepers can see foliage through the second week of November.
Article Source: Southern Living | Article Link
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